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CONGENITAL DEFECTS - Continued
1966 1965
Number of babies notified as having
one or more congenital defects 51 63
Number of stillbirths and livebirths
notified over the same period 3766 3747
The rate of notifications per 1,000 total births was 1.3, compared with 1.6 last
year.
There are obvious difficulties in assessing the real incidence of congenital defects
under such a voluntary scheme but some help does flow in maintaining observation registers,
and in follow-up to assess any handicap.
'OBSERVATION' AND 'HANDICAP' REGISTERS
At the end of the year the number in the 'Observation' register was 1,930. This
register contains the names of children under 5 years who are considered to be 'at risk'
of developing some handicap and requiring special observation. The register is based on
information supplied on birth notifications or on hospital discharge reports.
The 'Handicap' register comprised 304 cases made up as follows:-
Physically handicapped 161
Mentally retarded 41
Blind (registered) 3
Visual defects 7
Speech defects 24
Fits 12
Diabetic 4
Deaf 9
Autistic and maladjusted 1
Physical plus other defects 26
Mental plus other defects 13
Deaf plus other defects 3
A joint circular was issued during the year by the Minister of Health and the
Secretary of State for Education and Science, inviting education, health and welfare
authorities to review their arrangements for the care of physically and mentally handicapped
children and young persons, and to join with other authorities and voluntary associations
in this review to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the services provided. The circular
suggested that the review should be directed to the following matters:
33.